Debates of May 18th, 2011

This is page numbers 6687 - 6724 of the Hansard for the 16th Assembly, 6th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library.

The word of the day was students .

Topics

Oral Questions

Members Present

Prayer

Minister’s Statement 24-16(6): Developing The Public Service

Minister’s Statement 25-16(6): Premier’s Awards

Minister’s Statement 26-16(6): NWT Seniors’ Society Action Plan On Elder Abuse

Minister’s Statement 27-16(6): Inuvik Schools Project

Negotiated Contracts For Capital Projects

Replacement Of Bluefish Dam

Long-Term Care For Elders

Spending On Capital Projects In The Northwest Territories

GNWT Affirmative Action Policy

NWT Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy Renewal

Land Tax And Land Lease Arrears In Tu Nedhe

Public Housing Rental Arrears

Federal Resources For NWT Highway Between Tuktoyaktuk And Inuvik

Importance Of Social Welfare Programs In Addressing Health Concerns And Costs

Housing Issues In The Sahtu

Decision Not To Run In Next Territorial General Election

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Long-Term Care For Elders

Status Of Removal Of Assets At Treminco Mine Site

GNWT Affirmative Action Policy

All-Weather Highway Between Tuktoyaktuk And Inuvik

Land Tax And Land Lease Arrears In Tu Nedhe

Smart Communities Society Of The NWT

Increased Costs To Replace Bluefish Dam

Negotiated Contracts For Capital Projects Policy

Public Housing Rental Arrears

Public Housing Arrears

Spending On Capital Projects In The Northwest Territories

Tabled Document 30-16(6): 20/20: A Brilliant North Action Plan (2011-2012) And Results Report (2010-2011) Tabled Document 31-16(6): Report On The Staff Retention Policy Year Ending March 31, 2011

Tabled Document 32-16(6): NWT Film And Media Arts Industry: Growing The Sector

Tabled Document 33-16(6): Traditional Knowledge 2010-2011 Annual Report

Tabled Document 34-16(6): Making Connections – Building Networks To Prevent Abuse Of Elders

Encouraging Summer Student Employment

Summer Student Employment For Enr

Summer Student Employment For The Housing Corporation

Summer Student Employment In The Communities

Summer Student Employment For The Executive And Daair

Summer Student Employment In Tourism

Summer Student Employment For Transportation

Summer Student Employment For Nursing Students

Summer Student Employment Process For Justice

Summer Student Employment For Ece

Summer Student Employment For Finance

Summer Student Employment For Pws

Summer Student Employment Strategy

Increasing Summer Student Employment In The Regions

Number Of P1 And P2 Summer Students Hired

Review Of Access To Information And Protection Of Privacy Act

Increase To Student Financial Assistance Living Allowances

NWT Elder Abuse Awareness Week

Recorded Vote

Bill 20: Vital Statistics Act

Bill 21:

An Act To Amend The Employment Standards Act

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Review Of Atipp Fee

Schedule

Disclosure Of Employee Bonuses

Comprehensive Response Within 90 Days

Report of Committee of the Whole

Bill 11:

An Act To Amend The Public Service Act

Orders of the Day

The House met at 1:36 p.m.

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---Prayer

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Prayer

Prayer

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Good afternoon, colleagues. Welcome back to the Chamber. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Minister of Human Resources , Mr. Bob McLeod .

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Minister’s Statement 24-16(6): Developing The Public Service

Ministers’ Statements

Yellowknife South

Bob McLeod

Minister of Human Resources

Mr. Speaker, one of the priorities of the 16

Legislative Assembly is

improving human resource management within the Government of the Northwest Territories through training, career planning and encouraging employee innovation. By doing this, we move closer to our goal of an effective and efficient government.

The Department of Human Resources is working towards that goal with the Public Service Strategic Plan, 20/20: A Brilliant North. We know that to provide a high level of service to the people of the Northwest Territories, we must develop and maintain a public service representative of the people it serves. The Government of the Northwest Territories is working to ensure that the diversity of northern society is represented throughout the public service, which is a shared responsibility involving all departments in establishing opportunities for people.

In addition to our ongoing efforts to hire interns and graduates, a number of initiatives are underway. The Government of the Northwest Territories Advisory Committee on Employability was formed in 2010 to provide recommendations for increasing the representation of persons with disabilities. A strategy will be developed for the recruitment and retention of persons with disabilities this fall.

As well, in 2010, the Aboriginal Employees Advisory Committee was formed to provide recommendations on increasing the number of Aboriginal employees within the public service. This year regional advisory committees will be established to bring a regional and community

perspective to Aboriginal employee issues. The Department of Human Resources is currently developing an Aboriginal Employment Strategy which will guide the Government of the Northwest Territories Aboriginal recruitment and retention initiatives. Mr. Speaker, there is still work to be done and we remain committed to the fundamental principles and implementation of the Affirmative Action Policy.

Developing our employees and preparing for the future of the public service is another central focus of our strategic planning. To develop a sustainable core of managers in the Government of the Northwest Territories, a Leadership Development Program has been initiated which will provide employees with the specific skills they need to succeed. This program is targeting a 50 percent Aboriginal participation rate.

The Associate Director/Superintendent Program was piloted this year with great success. This program provides increased opportunity for indigenous Aboriginal persons to occupy senior management positions on a developmental basis. The Department of Human Resources is preparing to roll out the next phase of this program.

While we continue to build opportunities to improve capacity of the public service, I would like to recognize that the people of the Northwest Territories are already served by skilled and dedicated public servants. To acknowledge the good work of the Government of the Northwest Territories staff, and to give the public an opportunity to meet the people working on their behalf, the Department of Human Resources has launched a new website: Meet our People. This page features career profiles of public servants in a variety of jobs in different regions and who are at different stages in their careers.

The Public Service Strategic Plan provides an ambitious 10-year framework for the development of the public service in the Northwest Territories and is guiding our human resource management. I have highlighted a few of the major initiatives that this government has developed to meet our vision of a well-staffed, representative public service. Later today I will be tabling the 20/20: A Brilliant North Action Plan and Results Report for 2011-2012.

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Minister’s Statement 24-16(6): Developing The Public Service

Ministers’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Premier , Mr. Roland .

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Minister’s Statement 25-16(6): Premier’s Awards

Ministers’ Statements

Inuvik Boot Lake

Floyd Roland

Premier

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Every day our employees deliver critical programs and services to the residents of the Northwest Territories. The Premier ’s Awards recognize this outstanding service and celebrate the extraordinary achievements of those employees who demonstrate excellence and innovation in meeting the objectives of work as a government.

Earlier today I was pleased to present the 2011 Premier ’s Awards to 36 such dedicated public servants and 20 external collaborative partners.

Three team awards were presented in the 2011 season recognizing:

the creation of the Good Building Practice for Northern Facilities 2009 guidebook;

the

in-house

development of a system that

collects and disseminates weather products critical in calculating wild land fire danger; and

the use of Aboriginal standards of practice and traditional values for prevention and early intervention on social issues.

The Premier ’s Collaboration Awards recognize the work of teams made of GNWT and non-GNWT employees who work together to enhance government programs or services. Collaboration Awards for 2011 were presented for:

the use of environmentally sustainable

technology that blends traditional and western science knowledge;

work on our government’s multi-year

intervention at the National Energy Board hearings on the proposed Mackenzie Gas Project; and

development of the Northern Voices, Northern Waters - NWT Water Stewardship Strategy.

An individual Premier ’s Award for Excellence was presented to Mr. Benoit Boutin for his work on the implementation of communications and services in the French language.

This year a new individual award was introduced in honour of the late Dave Ramsden, a long-time GNWT employee, former deputy minister and secretary to Cabinet. This award recognizes an individual with a demonstrated history of commitment to excellence and public service over the course of their career.

The 2011 Dave Ramsden Career Excellence Award was presented to Mr. Sukhdev Cheema. During Mr. Cheema’s nearly 30-year career with the government, he has guided building design

decisions on major infrastructure projects throughout the North, promoted and demonstrated sound energy management practices, and played an instrumental role in bringing northern building science and technology issues to the international level.

Each Premier ’s Award recipient today received a plaque featuring porcupine quillwork on birch bark from artisans from the Fort Liard area. The Dave Ramsden Award features original artwork by Jennifer Walden.

Encouraging innovation among our public servants is one of the priorities this Assembly identified to help pursue its goal of effective and efficient government. The leadership, cross-agency collaboration and innovative ideas demonstrated by the recipients of this year’s Premier ’s Awards and their working partners is a model for us all and has resulted in enhanced productivity and improved services.

I invite the Assembly to join me in congratulating award recipients and extending our appreciation to all members of the public service for their professionalism, resourcefulness and hard work.

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Minister’s Statement 25-16(6): Premier’s Awards

Ministers’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland . The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services , Mr. Miltenberger .

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Minister’s Statement 26-16(6): NWT Seniors’ Society Action Plan On Elder Abuse

Ministers’ Statements

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Later today I will table the new NWT Seniors’ Society Action Plan: Making Connections – Building Networks to Prevent Abuse of Older Adults.

Seniors and elders are the fastest growing segment of the Northwest Territories population. Unfortunately, the vulnerability of many elders leaves them open to exploitation, often by relatives or others in their community. The Northwest Territories Seniors’ Society reports within its new action plan entitled Making Connections – Building Networks to Prevent Abuse of Older Adults that 71 percent of older adults say the abuse of older adults is a problem in their community. While all forms of abuse exist, the most common forms are financial, neglect, emotional and verbal.

Protecting the health and welfare of all NWT residents is a priority of the Government of the Northwest Territories. I would like to thank the NWT Seniors for this action plan. The Department of Health and Social Services will consider these recommendations in our new five-year strategic plan.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services has included elder abuse prevention as

part of the overall strategy to prevent family violence.

The department considers senior abuse an important issue. We have provided $187,452 to the NWT Seniors’ Society, and $90,000 of this funding was used by the NWT Seniors’ Society for community outreach work to support their Building Networks to Prevent Elder Abuse Symposium.

The NWT Seniors’ Society Action Plan includes many valid recommendations to address abuse. It is the role of governments, NGOs, community leaders and northern society as a whole not to turn a blind eye to elder abuse. We all have a responsibility to prevent the abuse of our elders. We all must stand together and say this is not acceptable in our communities.

The Department of Health and Social Services continues to pursue initiatives to provide enhanced services for NWT seniors, such as long-term care planning, injury prevention for seniors, developing new continuing care strategies, and elder abuse awareness and prevention.

The department’s Foundation for Change Action Plan recognizes the importance of working with our stakeholders and partners on policies and programs for seniors and elders. We will continue to work collaboratively with the NWT Seniors’ Society towards eliminating elder abuse and ensuring our seniors enjoy the benefits of healthy aging and a better quality of life. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister’s Statement 26-16(6): NWT Seniors’ Society Action Plan On Elder Abuse

Ministers’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . The honourable Minister responsible for Public Works and Services , Mr. Michael McLeod .

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Minister’s Statement 27-16(6): Inuvik Schools Project

Ministers’ Statements

Michael McLeod

Deh Cho

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, the Department of Public Works and Services is proceeding with the delivery of the combined schools project for the replacement of the Samuel Hearne Secondary School and Sir Alexander Mackenzie School in Inuvik. This combined facility is one of our largest building projects in the history of our government and will support this Assembly’s goal of healthy, educated Northerners.

Mr. Speaker, it’s only been 30 months since the start of construction of the Inuvik Schools Project and it’s already over 66 percent complete. As a result, I can inform Members today that the general contractor for this project has advised the department that this state-of-the-art facility could be open to students in the community of Inuvik in the fall of 2012. Mr. Speaker, this is a full school year earlier than originally planned.

The progress we see today is an example of what northern contractors, engineers, architects, tradespeople, business and government departments can achieve through working together.

This modern facility will accommodate up to 1,050 students from kindergarten to grade 12 in 54 teaching spaces. It will replace two schools that have reached the end of their service life. The completion of this new facility will help address a portion of the GNWT’s deferred maintenance deficit.

Mr. Speaker, the Inuvik Schools Project is progressing on budget and is providing significant economic opportunities for northern and for local businesses. To date, over 74 percent of the total expenditures for goods and services has been to northern contractors and suppliers, with 51 percent of total spending going to local companies as listed by the government’s Business Incentive Policy. Approximately 34 northern businesses have been involved with the project, with 22 of these businesses listed as locally owned.

Northern workers are also benefiting substantially from this project, with 53 percent of the workforce hired being northern and 46 percent hired being local.

Although the project’s delivery is accelerated, we’re diligently ensuring that it’s being constructed to the highest standards of quality and workmanship. This includes making sure that we deliver this government’s alternate energy efficiency priorities. Recent independent testing analysis confirmed our efforts, Mr. Speaker, as the Inuvik schools building is projected to be 56 percent more energy efficient than the model National Energy Building Code’s reference standard. Building projects to this high standard not only helps manage the energy costs of GNWT facilities but further advances our government’s greenhouse gas emission goals.

Mr. Speaker, improving the GNWT’s approach to support capital has been one of our achievements under the Refocusing Government Strategic Initiative. The Inuvik Schools Project is an example of how we can better deliver capital infrastructure projects that benefit our workforce and our economy. I look forward to the ongoing progress of this project in the coming year and hope to see its achievements applied to other projects as we continue with our vision of Northerners Working Together. Mahsi. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister’s Statement 27-16(6): Inuvik Schools Project

Ministers’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 3, Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta , Mr. Krutko .

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Negotiated Contracts For Capital Projects

Members’ Statements

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Contracts are a means to develop economic growth in our communities, but more importantly, government infrastructure such as housing, replacement of schools and public facilities. Mr. Speaker, I’ve asked through a written question in this House how many negotiated contracts were let in my riding, the Mackenzie Delta, for the last five years. Surprisingly, it was $876,000 in five years.

Mr. Speaker, out of a total capital investment of almost $12 million, $9.6 million was expended to contractors from outside my constituency.

Mr. Speaker, economic development is a key component to deal with the socio-economic development of our communities. Without the contracts government lets, capital investment in our communities, those capital investment dollars should be expended in our region and our ridings so that it can generate employment and business opportunities and allow for our workforce to meet its needs by way of apprenticeship programs, skill development and, more important, employment.

Mr. Speaker, in my riding there is some 60 percent unemployment in two of my communities. Mr. Speaker, it is pretty obvious that this government’s policies and procedures when it comes down to contracting, negotiated contracts, sole sourced or even public tendering, is not meeting the needs of our smaller communities. It’s meeting the needs of people in the larger regional centres, where a large portion of our capital investment is being expended to the tune of almost $10 million in my riding alone, where only less than 10 percent is being expended in my riding.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be asking the Minister of the Housing Corporation how he can justify this imbalance of capital expenditures in my riding.

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Negotiated Contracts For Capital Projects

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko . The honourable Member for Great Slave , Mr. Abernethy .

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Replacement Of Bluefish Dam

Members’ Statements

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are significant hydro opportunities here in the Northwest Territories. Given the rapidly increasing fuel rates and the environmental impacts of our reliance on diesel fuel for power and heat throughout the Northwest Territories, we must remain focused on building upon and maintaining our hydro potential.

Earlier this year the Northwest Territories Power Corporation decided to put more time into development of the business case for the Taltson Hydroelectric Expansion Project. I believe it was the right and most responsible decision. If previous assumptions about customer usage are not proven out, the basis for the project needs to be re-examined.

Today, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to talk about another NCPC project. In the fall of 2009, the replacement of the Bluefish dam was deemed to be an emergency. The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board granted an emergency exemption for preliminary screening for the required permits for the replacement of this dam. Construction materials were to be brought to site during the winter of 2009, but unfortunately the project is now slated to be in service in the fall of 2012.

Mr. Speaker, the cost of the replacement dam is a concern. I was very surprised to read in the media in late April that the cost of the project had increased to over $33 million. Constituents came to me after reading the same article. They are concerned about the impact of the higher cost of the Bluefish replacement on their families. They are worried the increased costs will be passed on to them. Many of them are having a hard time making ends meet now.

As a Member of this Legislature, I was only aware that the cost of the project was going to be less than $20 million. I think it’s important that the public of Yellowknife be aware of the increased costs for the project, and potential implications for their household and businesses. Gas prices have already increased for our residents, going from $1.16 a litre before Christmas to over $1.30 now. According to our Bureau of Statistics, consumer prices for water, fuel and electricity in Yellowknife have risen by over 10 percent between March 2010 and March 2011.

I think we’re in danger of pricing many people out of our capital and out of our territory. They won’t have the means to cope with an ever-increasing cost of living. This could have serious implications for the GNWT programs and services available to our residents.

I will have questions at the appropriate time for the Minister responsible for the NTPC regarding the impact of the Bluefish dam replacement on power rates in Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories as a whole.

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Replacement Of Bluefish Dam

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy . The honourable Member for Nahendeh , Mr. Menicoche .

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Long-Term Care For Elders

Members’ Statements

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to draw attention to Aboriginal elders

who are in long-term care. We have an excellent facility in Fort Simpson and I have praised it before in this House. Our elders are very well cared for. That care comes at a price to them. Every elder, including elders with treaty rights, pay $712 per month for accommodations and meals. That payment eats up the lion’s share of his or her old age security money. To make matters worse, this government is increasing that fee to $729 a month on June 1

. It is truly shameful.

On one hand we love and respect our elders and on the other we chip away at their meagre incomes and leave them with little to enjoy in their last years on this earth. Seniors in public housing pay little or nothing for rent. Why is it that those elders who need the most help have to pay for their accommodation while those who are able to look after themselves do not?

Why is it that Aboriginal elders with treaty rights to medical care have to pay for their long-term care? Why isn’t our government collecting these fees from the federal government? The agreement with the federal government is that they provide medicine chests to Aboriginal people. It is probably much easier to chisel $729 a month from our elders instead, but that doesn’t make it right.

For the sake of convenience, we ask our elders to pay when we could be helping them live more comfortable lives. This government should let our elders keep their old age security pensions and do whatever it takes to make it happen. They must speak with Ottawa and get this issue resolved.

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Long-Term Care For Elders

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . The honourable Member for Kam Lake , Mr. Ramsay .

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Spending On Capital Projects In The Northwest Territories

Members’ Statements

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Premier and the Finance Minister do not like to miss any opportunity to talk about the $450 million spent on capital projects here in the Northwest Territories over the past few years. Yes, this spending is unprecedented capital dollars that are being spent in our communities when our economy needed it the most.

I’d like to again thank the federal government in Ottawa for all the millions of dollars that have flowed North through the various infrastructure stimulus programs that they have offered our government.

As a government we have always seemed to have an issue with carry-overs where capital dollars are approved in one year then never get spent because the project does not get finished. We took a step in addressing this carry-over issue by approving the capital budget in the fall of the year as opposed to with the operations and maintenance budget which

we deal with in February and March. This move was supposed to help alleviate the carry-overs on an annual basis. Yes, we’ve had an inordinate amount of money to spend, but why are we again this year carrying over close to $130 million in capital, $72 million alone in the Department of Transportation?

What I hear from mid-sized construction companies in my riding and in the Northwest Territories, and the Northwest Territories Construction Association, is that they really wonder where all the money was spent. Big projects like the Inuvik School Project and highways and bridge projects ate up the majority of that money. Missing in the equation are projects that medium-sized construction companies could have bid on. Large projects are cutting out small to medium-sized construction companies who employ hundreds of people in our territory.

These companies have not gotten much benefit from this unprecedented capital spending by this government. Perhaps what we need is a breakdown of where and for what all this money has gone to.

The smaller companies are getting scared. They have payrolls to meet, overhead and operational costs to bear, and all they see our government looking to is to shrink our capital plan back to more historic levels of around $75 million a year.

The Minister of Public Works and Services earlier today stated that we’re improving the government’s approach to capital and we are delivering capital infrastructure projects that benefit our workforce and our economy. Why is it, then, that there is so much concern out there amongst the small to mid-sized construction companies who indicate they are not getting the work...

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Spending On Capital Projects In The Northwest Territories

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Mr. Ramsay , you’re time for your Member’s statement is expired.

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Spending On Capital Projects In The Northwest Territories

Members’ Statements

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

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Spending On Capital Projects In The Northwest Territories

Members’ Statements

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Why is it, then, that there is so much concern out there amongst the small to midsized construction companies who indicate they are not getting the work or benefit of this spending?

We need to ensure as a government that we are spending as much of our capital dollars fairly and that there is a balance between large, medium and smaller capital projects around our territory to benefit our economy the most and the companies that depend upon it.

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Spending On Capital Projects In The Northwest Territories

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay . The honourable Member for Hay River South , Mrs. Groenewegen .

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GNWT Affirmative Action Policy

Members’ Statements

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to try to discuss a sometimes misunderstood program that we call Affirmative Action. This policy is our government’s attempt to achieve a representative workforce. The GNWT is a huge employer in the Northwest Territories and officials may tell me that the GNWT is not the employer of choice in the North, but I can assure you that GNWT jobs are highly sought after and valued by most people that I know.

The population of the NWT is split approximately 50/50 between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. Since the GNWT is a large employer providing services to all residents of the NWT, the goal of achieving a representative workforce is a worthwhile and needed endeavour. How it plays out in reality in the offices and institutions of our government across the North is a little more complex than it sounds.

How do we get people to move to the regional centres in our capital where there is such a high concentration of public service jobs if they live in their own communities and don’t want to move there? We don’t very often talk about decentralization around here, I notice.

There are also some activities in the government that have traditionally attracted more people from a distinct group that comprise our population. For example, there are undeniably more Aboriginal people drawn to and employed in areas such as renewable resources, wildlife officers and corrections than there are Aboriginal people, for example, working in the towers here in Yellowknife in policy and finance analyst jobs.

Will there ever be a greater balance of people in these areas of administration and finance if we don’t make a concerted effort as a government to create capacity in these areas? Are there certain positions that one group would have more affinity with given a stronger connection to the land, such as the areas that I’ve mentioned: wildlife management, human sciences, counselling, social work?

Some people are not cut out for nine to five jobs and I often hear that from people. They’re not interested in sitting in an office from nine to five. How do we set targets, and when those targets are reached in an individual department or activity, do we say mission accomplished and stop applying priority status to those positions?

I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

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GNWT Affirmative Action Policy

Members’ Statements

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

It’s hard to believe in this day and age, in this territory, that there are still

systemic barriers to Aboriginal people finding employment with the GNWT in positions for which they are qualified, yet we continue to hear evidence of such instances. If this is true, this is something that needs to be documented and addressed. On the other hand, if we’ve reached departmental or regional representation goals, what do we do for the people who want to find employment in those activities but cannot and feel that this is because they are not a priority hire candidate?

In the absence of any kind of appeal process for people looking for employment in the GNWT who are not already employees, what mechanism is there to register these kind of concerns from Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal people?

I’d like to thank the Minister of Human Resources for his statement today, which kind of ties in with the kinds of things I’m addressing. That’s not my entire statement but I’ll stop there and perhaps save some for the

preamble in my questions.

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GNWT Affirmative Action Policy

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . The honourable Member for Weledeh , Mr. Bromley .

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NWT Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy Renewal

Members’ Statements

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Recently I attended the two-day conference on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation sponsored by the NWT Association of Communities, Pembina Institute, and Ecology North. I salute that expression of the sense of urgency civil society places upon climate change action and the support NWTAC received from government departments.

I also attended a local consultation on a new Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy. Attended by a small but dedicated crowd, the meeting spent considerable precious time dwelling on highly outdated goals and objectives of the old plan. Subsequent discussions, though, were more in line with the public’s experience on impressive early impacts of climate change and their expectation of a progressive and meaningful response.

We must show we mean business and take real action to provide the leadership needed to meet our responsibilities. In fact, the Premier and the Minister of ENR have stated that in the absence of progressive work at the national level, the ball is clearly in our court.

We need clear NWT-wide reduction targets consistent with the best science, not just controls on GNWT emissions. We must have a list of clear actions and an implementation plan based upon the estimated achievements possible from each action for meeting targets. Specifically, we need NWT-wide building and appliance standards, and timely adoption of transportation measures, including

vehicle emission and mileage standards. We must aggressively install community district heating systems and increase focus on local renewable energy sources like hydro and biomass. We must promote community businesses that meet not just energy, but food, shelter, and cultural needs from local resources. We need a carbon tax that takes a revenue-neutral approach with special consideration for low-income families and rural and remote communities. Specific provisions are required for a few large industries with mandatory requirements to meet carbon targets through energy efficiency, renewable energy, and access to carbon trading markets.

Advancing this initiative requires partnerships with all sectors and with Aboriginal governments. The best science shows that to avert environmental disaster, we need a 25 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and a 90 percent reduction by 2050. Our public understands this and expects an intelligent response. Let’s not fail them.

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NWT Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy Renewal

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley . The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe , Mr. Beaulieu .

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Land Tax And Land Lease Arrears In Tu Nedhe

Members’ Statements

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. In Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e there is a huge issue with land tax and land lease arrears. The problem is that taxes and leases are levied on people while the common understanding from the people is that all charges for land and taxes on their properties will be sorted out after the land, resources and government negotiations with Akaitcho are completed. Right now Akaitcho is engaged with the federal government and territorial government in negotiations.

However, invoices are being sent out to people in both communities and now some of the invoices are in the $20,000 to $30,000 range, most of which is interest. It appears as though the Department of Finance is not considering the understanding of the Tu Nedhe residents and their negotiations with the governments.

At this time many of my constituents are beginning to panic under such large bills and the fear that if they wait until the negotiations are complete, they will either lose their properties through tax sales or accumulate bills that are well beyond their ability to pay. Some constituents are now at that stage.

I’ve spoken many times in this House about low employment rates, poor housing and the high cost of living in Tu Nedhe. All of those are factors that contribute to the problem that I present today.

With limited incomes, Tu Nedhe constituents are asked to deal with their own housing repairs,

because up until now land tax arrears made them ineligible for any sort of funding from the NWT Housing Corporation to fix their house. Also, the people in Tu Nedhe live in communities where there is a very high cost of living. Food is expensive, and gasoline needed to harvest traditional foods is also very expensive.

I don’t have to draw a full picture here. I think the government can see when there are limited income opportunities and high cost of living, there is nothing left over to pay property taxes. The people in Tu Nedhe are left with an option: you pay your land taxes or feed your kids. I know what most people will do.

Later today I will have questions for the Minister of Finance .

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Land Tax And Land Lease Arrears In Tu Nedhe

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu . The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre , Mr. Hawkins .

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Public Housing Rental Arrears

Members’ Statements

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Rental arrears in public housing is a chronic problem for the Government of the Northwest Territories. When we reviewed the main estimates earlier this year, average rent collection was only 76 percent at a debt balance of $13 million outstanding. Collection needs to be at 90 percent in order to maintain the LHO, and that’s from the Minister as well as the department, Mr. Speaker. Clearly, we need action on these rental collections and certainly the arrears. However, if you think that’s bad, Mr. Speaker, well, mortgage collection rates are at 40 percent, so accountability clearly isn’t a concern for anyone over there.

We constantly hear the same response from the Housing Corporation on this issue: the Corporation continues its efforts to increase rent collection or mortgage collection; the Corporation works closely with the clients and LHOs; we promise that the situation is improving. But, Mr. Speaker, rent collection is still well below 90 percent in many LHOs; we’re still not hearing about a real action plan to increase rent collection. And speaking of action plans, the Auditor General recommended that the Housing Corporation jointly develop an action plan with each LHO that has difficulty collecting 90 percent of its rent. That was in 2008. Again, accountability seems to be missing here, Mr. Speaker.

The Housing Corporation has tried to make payment simple for clients. Yes, many housing tenants are good tenants and they do pay their rent on time. But 76 percent is not enough to sustain the Housing Program, Mr. Speaker. Why does that seem to bother people in the sense that they can’t

get past that? Why does the department of housing not want to address it?

We need a plan to target the real cause of these non-payment issues, Mr. Speaker, the inconvenient truths under the shadow or dark cloud of public housing.

Mr. Speaker, in my view, there has been very little done to address these problems of arrears in the rent and mortgages over this term other than rhetoric and a little re-jigging of the numbers, so I’m doubtful at this point if we will ever see much accomplished or anything real truly realized.

Mr. Speaker, if the department truly is listening and wants to advance this issue to some useful practical solution, then what about equalizing payments over a whole year? Mr. Speaker, we could term the payments over a full year reflective of what true annual income is, and then we could work with people who get part-time jobs so they don’t get the shocks of high rent and then the re-jigging. It would save a lot of time for the LHO and it would save a lot of stress from those clients in subsidized housing.

Mr. Speaker, later today I will have questions for the Minister responsible for Housing and hopefully we will find a better solution for this particular problem. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Public Housing Rental Arrears

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins . The honourable Member for Nunakput , Mr. Jacobson .

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Federal Resources For NWT Highway Between Tuktoyaktuk And Inuvik

Members’ Statements

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Approximately one month ago our federal counterparts in Parliament, for the first time since the federal election on May 2, 2011, the first order of business of the new government will be to pass the budget. Mr. Speaker, hopefully, our $150 million for the all-season road from Tuk to Inuvik will be included.

This Assembly and this government should do whatever it can to make this happen. Northerners working together. I believe we have one chance at this to make sure the budget includes the Tuk-Inuvik highway.

Mr. Speaker, this government has to deliver projects, not just to let it sit on the books with the future promises. Mr. Speaker, this government has promised the northern region will get their fair share of capital infrastructure and spending, but recent spending shows the opposite. Projects like the Deh Cho Bridge are draining a lot of the resources and the funding time, while projects seem to be on the back burner.

Mr. Speaker, several months ago the federal government tabled a budget that included $150

million for the road from Tuk to Inuvik, finally linking Canada coast to coast to coast. As mentioned last week, this is a result of many, many years of lobbying and work from the community governments, my office and other organizations. Unfortunately, this commitment was then questioned when the country went to the federal election. If this project does not happen, the economic conditions in the northern region will be severely hampered in years to come. This will definitely be a huge shot in the arm.

Many regions, including Nunakput, are enjoying a robust economy from the diamond exploration and the huge infrastructure spending. Mr. Speaker, this project would not only generate huge employment for the region but would also provide infrastructure to industry. This project would also seriously reduce the high cost of living in the small communities in Nunakput. We are in a very delicate situation and a limited window of opportunity. This government must not allow this commitment to fall through the cracks, especially near the end of this government. Mr. Speaker, I believe that this year will be a year where the northern region will get their fair share.

Mr. Speaker, thank you. I will have questions for the Minister of Transportation at the appropriate time.

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Federal Resources For NWT Highway Between Tuktoyaktuk And Inuvik

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson . The honourable Member for Frame Lake , Ms. Bisaro .

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Importance Of Social Welfare Programs In Addressing Health Concerns And Costs

Members’ Statements

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to use my Member’s statement to comment on an

article from the Globe and Mail regarding health care that recently caught my eye. In Canada it’s generally assumed that universal health care -- and that means timely access to affordable health services -- improves the health of socially disadvantaged groups. Research performed at the Institute for Clinical Evaluation Services tested that assumption, but as published in the journal Health Affairs, the results of the study contradicts the assumption.

The research team found that people with low income and/or low levels of education suffered from higher than normal incidences of cardiovascular disease. It’s no surprise and a well-known situation. The researchers tried to determine if universal access to health services would alter that finding. The research showed that the poor use more health services than the wealthy, but that does not mean they get better health outcomes. To quote the Globe author: The poor visit physicians and hospitals more often, not because it’s free, but because they are sicker. All of us, whether rich or poor, use health care services when we have to,

when we are sick. Few of us use health care services in a preventive way.

The message in the research finding is this: universal health care does not get us healthy and keep us healthy. Medicare is not the silver bullet to ensure a healthy population. What we need are tools to get us healthy in the first place, to attack the causes of poor health.

In Canada we spend about 40 percent of our budgets on health care, about 25 percent on education and only 15 percent on social welfare programs. By comparison, European countries spend twice as much as we do on social welfare programs, and the result of that spending is that Europeans spend less on health and have better health outcomes.

We need to put greater effort into tackling poverty, low education levels, poor and inequitable housing. Improvements in these areas will create healthier environments and, by default, healthier citizens. As we embark on the development of an Anti-Poverty Strategy or framework, Mr. Speaker, we would be well advised to consider these findings. Throwing more money at health is not the answer. Universal health care is not the answer. Until we improve living conditions for the socially disadvantaged in our territory, we cannot hope for universally healthy residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Importance Of Social Welfare Programs In Addressing Health Concerns And Costs

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro . The honourable Member for Sahtu , Mr. Yakeleya .

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Housing Issues In The Sahtu

Members’ Statements

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We will have a homeless problem in the Sahtu very soon if we don’t deal with the ever-increasing eviction notices in our communities. We must, as a basic human right, house our people. It’s the only right thing to do, Mr. Speaker, to keep our children and people from being thrown out and then wait for a year to see if they are welcome back into a house, a government house.

Now, the Minister states that the Housing Corporation is not intent on evicting. However, it is the last resort to collect money from people for staying in housing in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, how did we allow Housing to let arrears get so high? Why did we not go to the tenants and talk? I mean, talk and then follow up on a weekly basis to encourage and to support our people to assume the responsibility of debt payment.

We need to walk with our people on this very serious housing problem. It may even mean holding their hands and doing whatever it takes to let people know that these houses are theirs today.

Mr. Speaker, some of our units are old, some have mould issues, some have broken windows and doors. Other units are well kept and people are very proud to have a house, and we need to acknowledge the ones who pay on time or make every effort to keep up with the rest of their payments. We also have a mix of housing versions by our people such as housing is a treaty right or how did the promise of paying $2 a month for a house get to almost $1,800 for a client. Where did the government change its promise? We’re waiting to hear when that decision was made.

Mr. Speaker, we have so many houses boarded up, we have so many people on eviction notices, we have children who will not have a home. Mr. Speaker, we live in a rich territory, yet people will be living, and are living, in warehouses. Now we also have the highest core needs in the North, according to the 2009 NWT Housing Survey.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member’s statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

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Housing Issues In The Sahtu

Members’ Statements

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, we need to fix our own house. Let’s start with the foundation and location, move them to the communities, build it up from there. It works.

Mr. Speaker, housing is a government responsibility. We’re all in this together. We need solutions like a tenants relationship officer, solutions like working off the arrears, solutions like garnisheeing a percentage of their wages, or volunteering in the community with coaching or working with the elders. It may not fit the government policy, but, hey, it’s the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, we need the attention of this government today; not tomorrow, next week or in the new government. We can wipe off the arrears and at the same time acknowledge those who’ve paid rent faithfully since 1972, but we need the government to listen. Will you listen to us?

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Housing Issues In The Sahtu

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya . The honourable Member from Inuvik Boot Lake , Mr. Roland .

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Decision Not To Run In Next Territorial General Election

Members’ Statements

Floyd Roland

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to get a message back to the people of Inuvik Boot Lake, my constituency, to inform them that I will not be putting my name forward in the next general election.

After much thought about the future and the work that I’ve done with the people of Inuvik, I feel it is time to let some younger, more energetic folks take a look at representing the fine community of Inuvik

and the constituency of Inuvik Boot Lake. So I want to inform them that I will not be putting my name in, and wish the best for the future Assemblies of the Northwest Territories.

I’m sure I will at some point, some place, still be poking and prodding the Government of the Northwest Territories to make the right decisions and look towards our future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Decision Not To Run In Next Territorial General Election

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland . Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Thebacha , Mr. Miltenberger .

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It gives me great pleasure today to recognize in the gallery a distinguished elder from Fort Smith, Bea Campbell, and president of the NWT Seniors’ Society; Esther Braden, a charter member of the NWT Seniors’ Society; Yvonne Quick, program coordinator, NWT Seniors’ Society; Merlyn Williams, director for YK Seniors’ Society who sits on the NWT Seniors’ Society board; Barb Hood, executive director, NWT Seniors’ Society: Lorraine Phaneuf, executive director and co-chair of the Coalition Against Family Violence; Annemieke Mulders, Status of Women Council of the NWT; Bob Stevens, Lutra Associates in support of the NWT Seniors’ Society.

Thank you and welcome to the Assembly.

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . The honourable Member for Great Slave , Mr. Abernethy .

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize a constituent of the Great Slave riding, Mr. Merlyn Williams. Thank you.

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy . The honourable Member for Weledeh , Mr. Bromley .

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize a couple of residents of Weledeh: Barb Hood and Bob Stevens.

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley . The honourable Member for Yellowknife South , Mr. Bob McLeod .

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize Yvonne Quick, a long-time promoter of tourism and outfitter in the Northwest Territories, and Bob Stevens, hardworking defenseman with Old Blasters Old-timers Hockey League.

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre , Mr. Hawkins .

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Although recognized very nicely by Minister Miltenberger , I,

too, wish to recognize Lorraine Phaneuf, executive director of the NWT Status of Women Council. As well, I’d like to recognize a very distinguished elder in our community and a resident of Yellowknife Centre, Mrs. Esther Braden. Thank you.

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins . The honourable Member for Frame Lake , Ms. Bisaro .

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my pleasure to recognize a Frame Lake constituent, Ms. Yvonne Quick.

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro . Welcome everyone in the gallery today. I hope you’re enjoying the proceedings.

Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh , Mr. Menicoche .

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Question 102-16(6): Long-Term Care For Elders

Oral Questions

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d just like to follow up on my questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services with regard to our elders that are in long-term care facilities paying a fee and, of course, there’s an increase coming up on June 1

. However, I just

want to speak more particularly about the Aboriginal elders that are in long-term care.

Our treaties dictate that our health is taken care of by the federal government. So I’d like to know if the Health and Social Services Minister has looked at this. Has his officials looked at this aspect of it? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 102-16(6): Long-Term Care For Elders

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services , Mr. Miltenberger .

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Question 102-16(6): Long-Term Care For Elders

Oral Questions

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The rates for long-term care in the Northwest Territories are by far some of the most reasonable in the country and they are not a service that is covered under treaties. Thank you.

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Question 102-16(6): Long-Term Care For Elders

Oral Questions

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much. I’m confused. Health is in the treaties. So I would just like to ask the Minister once again, has he had dealings with Ottawa that lead him to say that statement, or what’s his approach or strategy towards Aboriginal elders in long-term care facilities? Mahsi.

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Question 102-16(6): Long-Term Care For Elders

Oral Questions

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you. This arrangement has been in place for decades now and the costs are heavily subsidized by the Government of the Northwest Territories to keep the rates where they’re at. There hasn’t been an increase in many, many years. But as it pertains to the question from the honourable Member, this service is not one that’s covered under a treaty or

any kind of medical coverage through the treaty or non-insured health benefits.

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Question 102-16(6): Long-Term Care For Elders

Oral Questions

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much. I don’t know; I would actually have a real good look at it. So I’d like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services , is he willing to at least look at that through a legal opinion and present that perhaps back at the House, because I believe that this certainly is in our treaties and we all know it is. With that there, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to know if the Minister is willing to do something like that. Mahsi.

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Question 102-16(6): Long-Term Care For Elders

Oral Questions

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you. I would be happy to provide the Member with a note that would lay out the position of the government when it comes to this particular service and we can have further discussion at that point if he wishes. Thank you.

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Question 102-16(6): Long-Term Care For Elders

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . Your final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche .

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Question 102-16(6): Long-Term Care For Elders

Oral Questions

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Just as a final question I’d like to know how much revenue is the government making from all of our seniors in the long-term care facilities, if the Minister can provide that to me, as well. Mahsi.

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Question 102-16(6): Long-Term Care For Elders

Oral Questions

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you. I don’t have the number of the money that’s generated from the modest charge for long-term care facilities, but I will as well in the note to the Member add the cost that we do spend and the revenues, and the Member will see that these programs are heavily subsidized, with good reason. I mean, we made a choice, we want to give the elders in the Northwest Territories the best care possible at the most reasonable cost and I believe we are doing that, but I will share that information with the Member, as well. Thank you.

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Question 102-16(6): Long-Term Care For Elders

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . The honourable Member for Frame Lake , Ms. Bisaro .

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Question 103-16(6): Status Of Removal Of Assets At Treminco Mine Site

Oral Questions

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are addressed to the Minister for Municipal and Community Affairs . In October of last year I asked some questions of the Minister with regard to the removal of assets at the Treminco mine site and the clean-up of that mine site. He advised me in December that they were developing an RFP for the removal of assets and that we would have the results of that RFP by mid-April 2011. I would like to ask the Minister first off what the status is of the work in terms of removal of assets at the mine site.

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Question 103-16(6): Status Of Removal Of Assets At Treminco Mine Site

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro . The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs , Mr. Robert McLeod .

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Question 103-16(6): Status Of Removal Of Assets At Treminco Mine Site

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The assets were auctioned off, however, the winning bidder did not pick them up. They were given final notice and still did not pick them up. We’re exploring other options as to how we can get a lot of the major infrastructure off the property.

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Question 103-16(6): Status Of Removal Of Assets At Treminco Mine Site

Oral Questions

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

I’m really confused now, because the Minister told me that information in October of last year. At that time, and later on, I was advised that there was an RFP that was being developed in February 2011. We’d have the results of an engineering study and what could possibly be done by mid-April 2011. I guess I need to ask the Minister if the RFP for engineering work was ever let.

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Question 103-16(6): Status Of Removal Of Assets At Treminco Mine Site

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

We did have an appraisal on the site there, and the cost of removing all the infrastructure there was significantly higher than what we would have got for it had we sold it off as surplus. That’s the stage we’re at right now.

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Question 103-16(6): Status Of Removal Of Assets At Treminco Mine Site

Oral Questions

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

I now have to ask the Minister, we’ve decided that it’s too expensive to remove anything, so what’s the next step. Are we going to leave those assets there until they totally rot into the ground 300 years from now? What’s the plan of the department to clean up this mine site?

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Question 103-16(6): Status Of Removal Of Assets At Treminco Mine Site

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

We still have to find out what we’re going to do. It’s not our intent to leave a lot of this infrastructure on the site. Obviously, we had made efforts to try and have folks bid on it. It was auctioned off. The winning bidders, as I said, didn’t pick it up. We have to find a way that we can remove this site and not have to wait for 300 years.

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Question 103-16(6): Status Of Removal Of Assets At Treminco Mine Site

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Ms. Bisaro .

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Question 103-16(6): Status Of Removal Of Assets At Treminco Mine Site

Oral Questions

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks to the Minister. I’m really glad we’re on the same page in terms of not waiting for 300 years. The removal of assets is one thing, but the clean-up of the mine site itself is a bigger issue. I know it’s multijurisdictional, but I’m wondering if the Minister can advise whether there is any long-term plan in terms of mine clean-up. That would be clean-up of the whole site, remediation and so on.

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Question 103-16(6): Status Of Removal Of Assets At Treminco Mine Site

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

We are looking at a couple of options as to the actual site clean-up itself. We have two avenues we’re looking at right now. We are just in the process of trying to see which one would work best. It is our intent to find every way possible to have this site cleaned up. Once we’re clear with that I can communicate to the Member privately and give her an update as to the status and where we’re at with getting the site cleaned up.

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Question 103-16(6): Status Of Removal Of Assets At Treminco Mine Site

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Hay River South , Mrs. Groenewegen .

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Question 104-16(6): GNWT Affirmative Action Policy

Oral Questions

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I didn’t plan to have my Member’s statement coincide with the Minister of Human Resources ’ statement today, but the Minister’s statement did cover quite a few of the areas that we’ve been discussing and have concerns about.

When we talk about a representative GNWT workforce, I’d like to ask the Minister what this government’s definition of that would be. Are we only talking about numbers?

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Question 104-16(6): GNWT Affirmative Action Policy

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . The honourable Minister responsible for Human Resources , Mr. Bob McLeod .

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Question 104-16(6): GNWT Affirmative Action Policy

Oral Questions

Yellowknife South

Bob McLeod

Minister of Human Resources

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can only say that great minds think alike. At this point the goal of the Government of the Northwest Territories is to have a representative workforce, which in this case we’re talking about Affirmative Action in which Aboriginal people represent about 50 percent of the Northwest Territories population. We’re also taking the same approach for persons with disabilities.

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Question 104-16(6): GNWT Affirmative Action Policy

Oral Questions

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

I have to ask the Minister how do we then bring more definition to that 50 percent. Is it 50 percent at any level of service in the public service? Is it a 50/50 split in management and directors and all these things? Don’t we need to do more as a government to create truly representative government by ensuring we have equal representation at all levels of government in all levels and positions? What are we doing to achieve that?

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Question 104-16(6): GNWT Affirmative Action Policy

Oral Questions

Yellowknife South

Bob McLeod

Minister of Human Resources

At this point, recognizing that as a government we’ve been flat-lined for at least 10 years where 31 percent of our 5,000-plus workforce is Aboriginal, we’re trying to get that moving upward. At some point when we come fairly close to 50 percent I think we could expand it into other areas. For example, we know that of our senior management component, 16 percent is Aboriginal. We have an even steeper hill to climb there. We can character the extreme. We have 33 communities in the Northwest Territories. Every community has varying percentages of Aboriginal people. It’s not our objective to have a representative workforce at the community level; we’re going to have it at the territorial level.

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Question 104-16(6): GNWT Affirmative Action Policy

Oral Questions

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

I’m glad the Minister clarified that, because that is a very important point. How do we then, as a government, reconcile the fact that most government jobs are centralized in the capital and the regional centres where the majority of the people are not Aboriginal? The majority of the Aboriginal people, on a percentage basis, are outside; perhaps don’t want to move to a

regional centre or to Yellowknife. I mean, are our goals realistic, given those factors?

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Question 104-16(6): GNWT Affirmative Action Policy

Oral Questions

Yellowknife South

Bob McLeod

Minister of Human Resources

I believe that our goals are realistic. I think that with our education system and the fact that we’re having more Aboriginal people attending post-secondary education institutions, we’re seeing graduation rates increasing. We look at our summer student rates, for example, where we’re finally getting where 50 percent of our summer students are Aboriginal. We’re working on that area. I think it’s going to take some time. Some of the initiatives that were undertaken with our Aboriginal Affirmative Action Advisory Committee I think are putting us in the right direction.

With the next government I think we’ll be looking at more accountability with the senior management of the various departments so that we’ll continue to work to increase our representation in the public service.

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Question 104-16(6): GNWT Affirmative Action Policy

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen .

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Question 104-16(6): GNWT Affirmative Action Policy

Oral Questions

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is such a complex issue. We as a government say that we want sustainable, prosperous communities, yet we don’t talk about decentralization. We don’t talk about taking those public service jobs and moving them out of the capital. We don’t look at departments and activities that can take place in the smaller communities. We don’t look at that. That would change the numbers of our representative workforce quite dramatically if people didn’t have to move to Fort Smith or Yellowknife to get a government job.

I’d like to ask the Minister if he sees us looking at that issue of decentralization as one of the means of achieving that more representative workforce, by taking the jobs to the communities as opposed to expecting the people to come to the larger centres.

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Question 104-16(6): GNWT Affirmative Action Policy

Oral Questions

Yellowknife South

Bob McLeod

Minister of Human Resources

Going back over a number of governments, there have been a number of attempts at decentralization and there have been successful initiatives to decentralize. I can think of the health care cards to Inuvik; I can think of the forestry division to Hay River, amongst others. I think that the last time a government took a serious look at decentralization it only got to a certain point, because you wind up with winners and losers. You have communities that lose jobs and other communities benefitting.

I think the best chance there is for decentralization is with devolution. We have to make sure that the jobs go where it is most feasible to operate. To decentralize comes with costs. We have to make sure that we have the people where they can do the most effective and efficient job.

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Question 104-16(6): GNWT Affirmative Action Policy

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Nunakput , Mr. Jacobson .

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Question 105-16(6): All-Weather Highway Between Tuktoyaktuk And Inuvik

Oral Questions

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today in my Member’s statement I spoke about the all-weather road from Tuk to Inuvik and how badly it’s needed to get employment into the riding of Inuvik, and Tuk, and Aklavik, and Sachs Harbour and Paulatuk. We need this project to go. Does the Minister have a plan on when he’ll be meeting with his federal counterpart in Ottawa?

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Question 105-16(6): All-Weather Highway Between Tuktoyaktuk And Inuvik

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson . The honourable Minister responsible for Transportation , Mr. Michael McLeod .

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Question 105-16(6): All-Weather Highway Between Tuktoyaktuk And Inuvik

Oral Questions

Michael McLeod

Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is not wasting any time getting on top of the subject. The Minister was just announced, I think four hours ago.

We already, as I’ve indicated, have been working on a draft for some correspondence to go to the Minister. We are trying to encourage them to look to the North as a place for investment. There has been a lot of tension and there has been some good promises made during the last term of our government. We are inviting him to come to the Northwest Territories to meet with us. We’ve also asked for some time to sit down and talk to him about some of our priorities. We’re hoping that correspondence will go out ASAP.

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Question 105-16(6): All-Weather Highway Between Tuktoyaktuk And Inuvik

Oral Questions

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Just to remind the federal government that they did promise this road in that first budget and they should stand by their word. What’s the status on the environmental review process on the Tuk-Inuvik highway?

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Question 105-16(6): All-Weather Highway Between Tuktoyaktuk And Inuvik

Oral Questions

Michael McLeod

Deh Cho

The project, in terms of where it’s at with the environmental review process, we expect that the draft environmental impact statement will be delivered to the review board by the end of the month. We also have information on that statement that provides details on engineering and environmental impacts. It’s a fairly large document, I think about a thousand pages, and very comprehensive. The statement also lays out the next steps. That includes initiatives such as public hearings.

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Question 105-16(6): All-Weather Highway Between Tuktoyaktuk And Inuvik

Oral Questions

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Is the department planning any additional work this coming summer?

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Question 105-16(6): All-Weather Highway Between Tuktoyaktuk And Inuvik

Oral Questions

Michael McLeod

Deh Cho

The answer is yes, there is a lot of work that still has to be done. We are planning a comprehensive summer program. The work that needs to be done includes fisheries studies, wildlife surveys, things of that nature. This information will supplement the work that’s already been done. We still need to provide that type of information to get our authorities and permits, and the things that we will require to move forward.

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Question 105-16(6): All-Weather Highway Between Tuktoyaktuk And Inuvik

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Mr. Jacobson .

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Question 105-16(6): All-Weather Highway Between Tuktoyaktuk And Inuvik

Oral Questions

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once that process is done -- hopefully we could end that by the end of July or August -- then can we start working this winter?

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Question 105-16(6): All-Weather Highway Between Tuktoyaktuk And Inuvik

Oral Questions

Michael McLeod

Deh Cho

There’s a lot of ifs in that question that we need to resolve. First of all we need to see what is in the new federal budget. Does it include dollars for this

section of highway that the Member is referring to. We also would need to see the results from the review board. We’d also require all necessary authorities, authorizations, permits. There’s lots of work to do. If there’s any work that would be done on the

section of highway, it would probably be the final portions that need to be completed on the Tuk gravel access road that we’ve been working on for several years.

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Question 105-16(6): All-Weather Highway Between Tuktoyaktuk And Inuvik

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe , Mr. Beaulieu .

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Question 106-16(6): Land Tax And Land Lease Arrears In Tu Nedhe

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement I spoke of the issues of tax arrears and lease arrears on the land in Tu Nedhe communities. Right now the elders are afraid that they’re going to lose their homes and so on. I’m getting calls from elders every month that get bills asking to pay right away.

This is for the Finance Minister . If the Finance Minister -- because the bills are coming from Finance -- could have officers go to visit the elder homeowners in Tu Nedhe to discuss their tax arrears with them. Thank you.

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Question 106-16(6): Land Tax And Land Lease Arrears In Tu Nedhe

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu . The honourable Minister responsible for Finance , Mr. Miltenberger .

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Question 106-16(6): Land Tax And Land Lease Arrears In Tu Nedhe

Oral Questions

Thebacha

Michael Miltenberger

Minister of Finance

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would be happy to talk to the Member outside the Chamber to look at this issue in more detail and some possible options or plan of action that would possibly help address this longstanding issue. Thank you.

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Question 106-16(6): Land Tax And Land Lease Arrears In Tu Nedhe

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Mr. Speaker, it’s good I’d have a discussion with the Minister. For me, I can give him a lot of information, a lot of detail, but one of the big issues seems to be that there’s an accumulation of taxes, due to what I spoke of. There’s a common feeling in Tu Nedhe that they shouldn’t be paying taxes until the land resources and government negotiations are complete. Will the Minister direct his staff to write off the interest on the taxes and then deal with the principal at a later date? But at this point, write the interest off? Thank you.

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Question 106-16(6): Land Tax And Land Lease Arrears In Tu Nedhe

Oral Questions

Thebacha

Michael Miltenberger

Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, this is a longstanding issue tied into Fort Resolution being in the Akaitcho Territory and unsettled claims and Treaty 8 and the whole issue of payment of taxes. There have been a number of attempts to try to resolve this issue. There have been former chiefs that have asked for forgiveness or wiping the slate clean on a go-forward basis. Anything of that nature would require a Cabinet decision.

As I indicated, the Member has had no opportunity to discuss this particular issue in any detail, so I would once again just restate my commitment to sit down with him to talk about the issue and see what possible paths there may be forward on this. Thank you.

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Question 106-16(6): Land Tax And Land Lease Arrears In Tu Nedhe

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Will the Minister work with the Minister of MACA to then, at this point, delay any further levying of taxes to the homeowners of Tu Nedhe? Thank you.

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Question 106-16(6): Land Tax And Land Lease Arrears In Tu Nedhe

Oral Questions

Thebacha

Michael Miltenberger

Minister of Finance

I will commit to have a discussion with the Minister of MACA on this particular issue.

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Question 106-16(6): Land Tax And Land Lease Arrears In Tu Nedhe

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . Your final supplementary, Mr. Beaulieu .

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Question 106-16(6): Land Tax And Land Lease Arrears In Tu Nedhe

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Thank you. Will the Minister agree to stop sending out invoices and bills to the homeowners in Tu Nedhe until they’ve had a face-to-face meeting with that homeowner? Thank you.

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Question 106-16(6): Land Tax And Land Lease Arrears In Tu Nedhe

Oral Questions

Thebacha

Michael Miltenberger

Minister of Finance

I will commit to meet with the Member. In fact, I’ll even buy him dinner, and we can do it over dinner to talk about this issue, Mr. Speaker. Of course, other Members that are looking to have sustenance at the expense of a poor, underpaid Minister, of course I’d be happy to have them come along. Thank you.

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Question 106-16(6): Land Tax And Land Lease Arrears In Tu Nedhe

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . The honourable Member for Weledeh , Mr. Bromley .

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Question 107-16(6): Smart Communities Society Of The NWT

Oral Questions

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Reluctantly, I’d like to go for supper, but my question is for the Minister of Industry , Trade and Investment. I’d like to note that Yellowknife Members recently met with representatives of the Smart Communities Society of the Northwest Territories and learned about the issues that they are facing and some of the risks involved with those issues. Could the Minister inform the House on what action this government has taken to strengthen the relationship between the GNWT and the Smart Communities Society of the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

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Question 107-16(6): Smart Communities Society Of The NWT

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The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley . The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment , Mr. Bob McLeod .

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Question 107-16(6): Smart Communities Society Of The NWT

Oral Questions

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We met with the NWT Smart Communities Society and all the Yellowknife MLAs, including myself, and we recognize the good work that the Smart Society has been doing. We committed to working with the Smart Communities Society to deal with some of the programs that they have been working very hard on over the past three years.

I’d like to point out that over the past three years Smart Society spent about $11 million on their programs, and this year, in order to access $385,000 from the federal government, they were looking to expand their programs across the Northwest Territories.

I am pleased to report that the Government of the Northwest Territories will be working with them and will be investing $101,000 in Smart Society to continue to expand their programs across the Northwest Territories and to look at focusing on some of the last mile kind of initiatives. Thank you.

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Question 107-16(6): Smart Communities Society Of The NWT

Oral Questions

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Thanks for the comments from the Minister. It sounds like that’s going to at least take care of the alligators that are latched onto their ankles right now and I appreciate that action. It seems from this that the government is, indeed, going to take full advantage of the programs and services available through the Smart Communities Society.

But for the full benefit of all the people in all the communities in the Northwest Territories, considerable work remains to be done, and I’m assuming from this action that the government agrees with this, so I’m wondering what action is proposed, what next steps is the Minister thinking of, including whether his department will continue to take the lead or whether other departments may become involved to ensure the sustainability of these services. Mahsi.

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Question 107-16(6): Smart Communities Society Of The NWT

Oral Questions

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

In the short term we will be doing up a contribution agreement with the Smart Society, and the reason for that is, as everybody knows, there is an election coming up and we can’t commit a future government on future funding, so we will also endeavour to include that in the transition document.

I think it’s very important to note that in the future we’ll be looking at expanding to other initiatives, and long term, hopefully, it could become part of one of the TFC finance projects in the future. But that’s in the long term and we’ll have to wait and see what happens in the next government. Thank you.

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Question 107-16(6): Smart Communities Society Of The NWT

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The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Great Slave , Mr. Abernethy .

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Question 108-16(6): Increased Costs To Replace Bluefish Dam

Oral Questions

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation , Premier Roland. Earlier today in my Member’s statement I highlighted the increased cost to replace the Bluefish dam. Can the Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corp please confirm this afternoon what the budget for this project is and how that budget has changed over the last several months? Thank you.

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Question 108-16(6): Increased Costs To Replace Bluefish Dam

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy . The honourable Premier , Mr. Roland .

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Question 108-16(6): Increased Costs To Replace Bluefish Dam

Oral Questions

Inuvik Boot Lake

Floyd Roland

Premier

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The confirmed budget with contingency is targeted now at $37.4 million.

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Question 108-16(6): Increased Costs To Replace Bluefish Dam

Oral Questions

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

I thank the Minister for that. I’m curious how this increase will affect the power rates in Yellowknife, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister tell me what the forecasted impact of this project is on power rates in Yellowknife? Thank you.

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Question 108-16(6): Increased Costs To Replace Bluefish Dam

Oral Questions

Inuvik Boot Lake

Floyd Roland

Premier

When this project was first proposed there was an estimate given to the PUB as this project had to be filed through them as well. The targeted impact was in the neighbourhood of up to between 1.5 to 2 cents per kilowatt hour. So that was budgeted prior to any changes in the budget. With this change we’re looking at 2.5 cents per kilowatt hour impact in this region. That does affect the rest of the communities because our Power Support Program, as we’ve changed it, is based on the Yellowknife rate. Thank you.

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Question 108-16(6): Increased Costs To Replace Bluefish Dam

Oral Questions

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you. I wonder, is there any specific cost mitigation measures that the Power Corp is using to try to lower the cost of this project. Are there numbers? We were talking about final numbers. Is the $33 million with the $4 million contingency, are they the final numbers or is there any possibility that the final cost of this project in the impact of power rates across the Northwest Territories and Yellowknife will be lower and how does the Power Corporation work towards trying to control these costs and keep them down, Mr. Speaker?

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Question 108-16(6): Increased Costs To Replace Bluefish Dam

Oral Questions

Inuvik Boot Lake

Floyd Roland

Premier

Thank you. The approach that the Power Corp has taken on this project on a number of areas was to minimize the costs. For example, after going out for our fee, the corporation chose a contractor to negotiate the price down, because the one portion, the construction portion was higher than anticipated, and they worked that number back down through an agreement in construction. There is also a portion of the contact that if there’s a savings on moving ahead on this project at lower than expected prices, that will reduce the overall impact, as well. So the

corporation has taken a number of steps to try to minimize the project.

One of the areas we find as the reason for the increase was at the initial stages, it was deemed an emergency. The first program that was put together wasn’t as detailed as was needed, and through the environmental process there was a number of factors that adjusted the plan that was initially designed. So the design had changed, and requirements had changed and that impacted the numbers upward. We’re hoping, now that we have the numbers established and set, that there may be even some savings achieved as we go forward with construction. Thank you.

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Question 108-16(6): Increased Costs To Replace Bluefish Dam

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland . Your final, short supplementary, Mr. Abernethy .

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Question 108-16(6): Increased Costs To Replace Bluefish Dam

Oral Questions

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Assembly worked awfully hard to try to find ways to reduce the power rates in communities, and as a result, the rates stayed the same in Yellowknife, but overall we did a good job of trying to reduce the rates in the whole Territories. This rate obviously is a concern; this rate increase is obviously a concern.

I’d like to ask the Minister, if power increases as a result of the Bluefish construction, if we can’t avoid increasing our territorial power rates as a result of this, are there any programs or is there anything that we can do as a Legislature and the Minister can do as the Minister responsible to residents to help with the impacts of this potential increase to our rates after we worked so hard to bring them down.

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Question 108-16(6): Increased Costs To Replace Bluefish Dam

Oral Questions

Inuvik Boot Lake

Floyd Roland

Premier

Thank you. The estimation of, for example, 2.5 cents per kilowatt hour will impact residents of about $17 a month. We know it is an increase. We’ve tried to minimize the overall construction costs. One of the things we’ve done with the contract is risk sharing, and that may be able to lower the actual amount that we’ve budgeted and reduce the contingency, for example. So right now the process as it would work out is the construction would have to be completed and the overall budget looked at and the impact then passed on. So it would be beyond the life of the 16

Assembly. Well, it will have to be after the

final completion of the project that rates would be adjusted. So I can’t speak for the 17

Assembly on

what they might do to try to mitigate something of this nature. Thank you.

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